New York is an incredible city at any time, but in December it is truly magical. NYC reeks of Christmas from Rockefeller Center with the tree and ice skating, to the fantastic and whimsical store windows. There is the shopping with additional Holiday Shopping Fairs set up around the city; Bryant Park, Union Square, Grand Central, the Cathedral and Columbus Circle.  In a city already packed with people and activities, in December there is even more to see and do. Companies are spreading goodwill by handing out free samples on street corners; like Federal Express handing out hot chocolate and purple Santa hats. Even the street vendors become festive with chestnuts roasting on the vendors carts in addition to the usual pretzels and hotdogs.

We enjoyed the shopping at the Holiday Shopping Fair at Columbus Circle. We found some great gifts:

One of the little shops in Columbus Circle was selling a huge variety of teas, creating a fun "tea"scape and interesting smell.

The crowd at the Holiday shops in Columbus Circle.

Becca shopping with Bob at a leather Holiday shop.

Roasted chestnuts on a corner cart in New York City.

Fun Christmas "Seussical" Trees.

Inside St. Patricks Church in New York City.

Bob in New York City.

This ribbon store almost boggled the imagination with its thousands and thousands of ribbons….

An incredible ribbon store in New York City.

Everything in New York is to the max…even to santas on the subway….

Santas on the subway.

But I think my favorite thing to do is to view the store windows in New York in December. Let me share a couple: Bergdorf Goodman is on 5th Avenue and south of Central Park. The holiday window displays at Bergdorf Goodman reflect the sophisticated signature design of the store. These windows feature not only high-fashion, but also authentic antiques and creative design. This year each window was a monochromatic color and were intricate and beautiful. The theme for 2011, was “Carnival of the Animals” and was woven through each of the windows. I was particularly fascinated by the texture created in one window by layering fishing lures…amazing.







Closeup of the fishing lures…neat texture huh!



Harry Winston’s:

Tiffany’s and it’s jewels:



Lord and Taylor was charming with its “Yes, Virginia There is a Santa Claus” windows:











And then there is MACY’s where it is Miracle on 34th Street! Macy is home to some of New York City’s most famous holiday window displays. Every year, Macy’s features two series of window displays–one set depicting scenes from the classic Christmas film Miracle on 34th Street and a second set that is new each year. This year Macy’s teamed up with “Make A Wish” and created inpsired windows. Visitors could even design their own ornaments.











Rockefeller Center is a must at Christmas. The tree has been a tradition for 75 years. It is a world-wide symbol of the holidays in New York City. It is a Norway Spruce and is illuminated by 30,000 lights on 5 miles of wire.

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.

Bob and Becca.

Then there are the restaurants. Becca recommended a burger place called “5 Napkin Burger” on 35th street in New York. Absolutely delicious!!! (And I am not a burger person.) I definitely recommend this restaurant if you are in New York.

5 Napkin Burger on 35th in New York City.

Bob and Becca heading into 5 Napkin Burger Restaurant.

Menu at 5 Napkin Burger.

I tried the original burger...you can't go wrong.

We also had pizza at Lombardi’s in Soho (on Spring Street). It is also one of our favorite pizza places in NYC. It is brick oven thin crusted great pizza. We met up with my niece Courtney and her friend Katy.

My niece Courtney and her friend from Boston Katy.

Bob at Lombardi's Pizza.

Becca at Lombardi's.

Pizza.

We also spent a fun afternoon at the Museum of Modern Art. They had an exhibit on de Kooning: A Retrospective, which we enjoyed. This is the first major museum exhibition devoted to the full scope of the career of Willem de Kooning, widely considered to be among the most important and prolific artists of the 20th century. Nearly 200 works were brought together from public and private collections.